Looking Forward AUGUST 2026
Updated: Sep 8
Greetings Partners! Toast with us to harvest season and the waning days of summer.
The California Wine Country is experiencing one of it’s earliest harvest seasons on record and crews are busily working in the vineyards to bring in this year’s bounty. We too are experiencing a big workload as a bunch of RFPs have landed for the end of the year and Q1 2027 menu launches. We look forward to a busy H2 and many more opportunities in the coming months.
We are getting trained up on our newest tools via Datassential. A heartfelt thank you to the partners who are participating with us on that. Look forward to some deep dives into your categories as we become more facile with the technology. We have already been incorporating insights on behalf of our participating partners in RFPs. Even just in the past few weeks, we have seen several RFPs which require mandatory data backing for all menu suggestions. We are feeling extremely fortunate to have your support in accessing this information which is more vital each year.
Here are a few industry-wide learnings from our recent work with the platform:
U.S. Food & Beverage trends in the latest sources point to strong consumer appetite for novelty, with non-alcoholic beverages leading menu innovation and at-home occasions still dominating key seasonal food-and-drink behaviors.
Alcoholic beverage activity appears modest in recent U.S. chain menu-launch data, while the strongest directly comparable benchmark in the provided sources shows alcoholic beverages trailing far behind non-alcoholic beverages in new launch volume.
While wines continue to lag behind other categories, venues are achieving success broadening categories and expanding wine-based cocktail offerings:
 Among wine categories, Cava is a big standout with an “On Fire” rating in menu trends. Pinot Grigio, Port Wine, Prosecco, South African Wines, and Albarino are gaining slowly. Valpolicella is gaining quickly. Italian regional varieties in general are showing some of the strongest momentum. The Paso Robles wine region continues to grow on the domestic side. The category is rounded out with gains in Sweet Wines and Non-alcoholic Wines.
Millennials lead the wine category in purchases and enthusiasm, followed by Gen Z and Gen X.
Among spirits, Vodka is showing modest gains while Tequila continues to climb ahead of the pack with Blanco Tequila leading the charge in purchases and consumer preference. Rosa Tequila and Cristalino expressions are also showing huge gains in the past 2 years. Mezcal is up. Vermouth is making major gains in menu penetration.
The top growing cocktails are all classics: French 75, Martinis, and Margaritas.
Overall restaurant trends indicate a consolidating market, where decisions made post-pandemic are solidifying. Restaurant Openings are down below pandemic levels. Permanent Closures are, conversely, at historic lows, with Total Active Restaurants at historic highs. Consumers have more choices than ever of where to eat and drink, and there is less calamity and change in the openings & closings than at any time in recent history. All US Markets except North Dakota showed net unit growth in the past 12 months with the biggest gains in UT, ID, GA, SC, NC, and FL. 
Overall this indicates a healthy yet cautious chain landscape with many different chances to showcase brands aligning with consumer trends. The marketplace is changing and consumer habits are evolving, but there are more opportunities to present than ever before.
Cheers,
Mark & the Trellis Team. |
Current RFPs:
8/21 Atrium Hospitality (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: November 2026
8/28 Chili's Grill & Bar (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
9/2 CRO Steakhouse (Wine)
Expected Start: TBD
9/8 Paul Martin's (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
9/4 Crestline Hotels & Resorts (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
9/15 Dividend Restaurant Group (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
9/16 Fords Garage (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
Expected RFPs:
Alamo Draft House
801 Restaurant Group
UNO Pizzeria
F1 Arcade
RFPs submitted over the last 3 months:
HEI Hotels + Resorts (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Kalahari Resorts (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
Landry's Casual Dining (Wine)
Expected Start: TBD
Hyatt Place & Hyatt House (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Joe's Crabshack Cocktails & Mocktails (Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: Fall 2026
Delaware North (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: Spring 2027
United Polaris Lounge (Wine/Spirits)
Expected Start: March 2027
HMS Host (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: January 2027
STK (White Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Benihana (White Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Hilton Managed Properties Cocktails (Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: Fall 2026
UNCO (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Specialty Restaurants LTO Cocktails (Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: Fall 2026/Spring 2027
Houlihan's LTO Cocktails & Mocktails
Expected Start: Fall 2026 & Spring 2027
Prime Hospitality (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: October 2026
Bubba Gump Shrimp Cocktails & Mocktails (Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: Fall 2026 & Spring 2027
Vail Resorts (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Remington Hospitality (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: 10/26
Choice Hotels (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Phelan Family Brands (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
Dave & Busters / Main Event (Wine/Spirits/Non-Alc)
Expected Start: TBD
TGI Friday's (Sparkling Wine)
Expected Start: TBD
Upcoming Conferences and Events:
Upward Projects Conference 8/24 - 8/26
PHCP Supplier Showcase 8/25 - 8/27
HAI Hospitality Leadership Summit 9/14 - 9/16
HMS Host Charity Golf Tournament & RFP Meetings 9/23 - 9/24
HEE West Fall 2026 Event 11/1 - 11/4
Find Trellis's Complete 2026 Events Calendar HERE
We love your feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out!